Things aren’t going well in Cleveland this season, but Kevin Stefanski isn’t worried about the future of his job with the Browns.
Stefanski and the Browns are just 2-8 this season, marking their worst start since the team failed to win a single game in the 2017 season. While they are coming off an 11-win season last year, the rocky start has led to much speculation that Stefanski will lose his job – especially on local sports radio.
“I think probably because I grew up listening [Philadelphia radio]”I’m smart enough not to worry about outside noise,” Stefanski said. ‘I understand that that is part of this performance. That’s life in the big city. My only focus is to get this team ready for a win on Thursday night. That’s it.”
The Browns are fresh off a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints, who have won just four games this season and recently fired head coach Dennis Allen. Even before quarterback Deshaun Watson — who the Browns traded for in a record $230 million guaranteed deal amid numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and assault in 2022 — went down with his second straight season-ending injury, the Browns’ offense had it difficult.
Watson, who tore his Achilles tendon, has not thrown for more than 200 yards in a game in his seven starts and has thrown just five touchdowns with three interceptions.
After the loss of Watson, Stefanski turned the play calling over to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Since then, he has been running the offense with backup Jameis Winston.
Stefanski is in his fifth season leading the Browns, marking his first head coaching job in the league. He has amassed a 39-38 record and has had a winning season in all but one campaign. He was also the NFL Coach of the Year last season. If the Browns lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, they will secure his second.
Both he and general manager Andrew Berry signed extensions last offseason, but neither appears too stressed about their futures in Cleveland despite the team’s struggles this fall.
“I’ll be honest, neither of us really think that way,” Berry said earlier this month. “I would say to myself, I always view myself in this role as a steward of the organization and my focus is really on doing the things within my control, in the short term and the long term, to ensure that it is okay.” the best interest of the franchise…Kevin is an excellent coach and he is absolutely part of the solution with everything.”
